Serving up support for dry grad

On a cold winter’s night, what could be better than a hot spaghetti dinner with friends?

How about if you add in some great entertainment and a great silent auction?

Penticton Secondary’s annual spaghetti dinner and talent show on March 1 offers all that, and a chance to help support the graduating class’ dry grad party at the end of the school year.

This is the 14th year for the event, one of the biggest fundraisers for the dry grad committee, which brings together all those events: a spaghetti dinner prepared by chef Chris Garvey and his crew, and the $10 ticket prices includes a talent show displaying the skills of graduating Pen High students (and occasionally alumni).

Lyndsay Blais is no stranger to dry grads. Her fourth child is graduating this year, and she’s been chair of the dry grad committee for three of those kids.

“We know that they are going to be celebrating. It’s absolutely a time of celebration for grads across the province and we want to keep them safe,” said Blais, noting that grad and prom nights have higher numbers of alcohol-related and driving deaths.

“We volunteer our time, we raise funds and we pull together a celebration that is a no drugs, no alcohol safe space for them to celebrate with their friends and have that connection with their classmates one last time before they go off into the world and pursue their next step,” said Blais. “If we’re going to be up all night worrying about them, at least at the dry grad event, we’re going to be up all night watching them celebrate with their friends in a safe environment.“

The March 1 event also includes a silent auction, with items donated by local businesses and individuals.

“It never ceases to amaze me the amount of support that comes out from the community businesses and individuals,” said Blais. “We want to let people know how much we appreciate that.”

Tickets are only $10 and are available through your grad or the Pen High accounting office. For more information, call 250-328-4346.